Va Rating Schedule Degenerative Disc Disease

The VA has specific rating codes if a shoulder or arm need to be amputated.

Va rating schedule degenerative disc disease. If your doctor orders bedrest the frequency of your incapacitating episodes can also be the basis for a rating. VA rates degenerative disc disease under 38 CFR 471a Schedule of Ratings Musculoskeletal System Diagnostic Code 5242. Unfortunately spinal injuries tend to receive low disability ratings despite the fact that they can be quite debilitating. In this post we will be exploring the VA Disability Rating for Radiculopathy in great detail.

The rules of the VAs Schedule for Rating Disabilities VASRD are used to assign rating percentages to conditions. The VASRD gives rating rules for conditions based on their symptoms treatment options and the resulting level of disability they cause. Under the VA rating schedule there is a standard 20 disability rating if there is x-ray evidence of involvement of two or more major joints or minor joint groups with occasional incapacitating exacerbations. Spine conditions are usually rated based upon how limited your back or neck range of motion is.

Major joints include the shoulder wrist elbow hip knee and ankle while minor joints include toes fingers spine and sacroiliac. How do I increase my rating percentages. So individuals with a low range of motion and other severe symptoms will receive a higher VA disability rating for DDD. How VA Rates Shoulder and Arm Conditions.

The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to rate musculoskeletal conditions which includes back conditions like degenerative arthritis. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease The VA rating for degenerative disc disease typically is 20 despite how much pain the condition may cause. To increase a degenerative disc disease VA rating its essential to consider the secondary conditions that arose as a result of the degenerative disc disease.

The following Diagnostic Codes are. The VA requires that the examiner measure the maximal flexion and extension of the joints using a Geniometer. The VA classifies degenerative disc disease as a musculoskeletal disorder of the spine. Generally speaking VA rates shoulder and arm conditions under both 38 CFR 471a Schedule of Ratings Musculoskeletal System and 473 Schedule of Ratings Muscle Injuries.

In 2020 VA ratings for Radiculopathy typically range from 0 to 70 depending upon the severity of your symptoms. Back injuries are a common complaint after military service. As a result its necessary to determine if you are eligible to receive a higher rating than the schedule allows. The rating criteria for this diagnostic code is virtually the same as Diagnostic Code 5003 which is used to rate degenerative arthritis.

This rating schedule considers factors like range of motion when awarding a specific percent rating. To receive the extraschedular disability rating there are certain requirements that must be met. The VA generally rates DDD between 10 and 20 depending on the number of joints affected. However a VA rating for Sciatica can range from 10 to 80 depending upon the severity of symptoms.

The VA still uses this classification for most disabilities affecting the joints and for evaluation of degenerative joint disease of the spine. How the VA Decides Disability Ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease. For degenerative disc disease this may be the case because the highest schedule rating is just 20. 417 - Total Disability Ratings for Pension Based on Unemployability and Age of the Individual 417a - 418 - Misconduct EtiologyUnemployability 419 - 421 - Age in Service-Connected ClaimsAnalogous RatingsApplication of Rating Schedule 422 - 423 - Rating of Disabilities Aggravated by Active ServiceAttitude of Rating Officers 424.